Hasten! 'That is useless, Master,Heavier for my team their load,And my eyes with snow o'er plasteredCan no longer see the road!Lost all trace of our direction,Sir, what now? The goblins drawUs already round in circles,Pull the sledge with evil claw!

See! One hops with frantic gesture,In my face to grin and hiss,See! It goads the frenzied horsesOnward to the black abyss!In the darkness, like a palingOne stands forth,--and now I seeHim like walking-fire sparkling--Then the blackness,--woe is me!'

How the wind's brood rage and whimper!Scenting, blow the triple team;See! One hops here! Forward Driver!How his eyes with evil gleam!Scarce controllable the horses,How the harness bells resound!Look! With what a sneering grimaceNow the spirit band surround!

In an endless long procession,Formless, countless of their kindCircle us in flying coveysLike the leaves in Autumn wind.Now in ghastly silence deathly,Now with shrilling elfin cry--Is it some mad dance of bridal,Or a death march passing by?